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More than 100 South Tahoe Middle School students shopped for new school clothes at Kmart this month as part of the Assistance League of Sierra Foothill’s annual Operation School Bell program.

Through Operation School Bell, disadvantaged students from sixth to eighth grade are provided up to $100 each to spend on whatever clothes they want — as long as they fit the district’s guidelines.

For Stephanie Hess and her daughter, Destinee, who participated in this year’s program, it was a nice surprise.

“It came kind of at a good time for me because things have been really rough lately and she was growing out of her clothes,” Stephanie Hess said.

Operation School Bell was held on Oct. 5 from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Kmart. About 120 students — chosen by the school — showed up for event, and each were given a $100 limit to spend on school clothes of their choosing.

Sue Ganzi, mother of Alayna Bunch, said she appreciated the Assistance League’s support, and that her daughter has been enjoying her new pair of shoes ever since.

“I think it was great,” she said.

Operation School Bell has come to the aid of South Tahoe Middle School students for the third year now, resulting in thousands of dollars spent on new school clothes.

This year, about $12,000 worth of clothes was paid for by ALSF and a local grant from El Dorado Community Foundation South Lake Tahoe Endowment. Kmart also contributed a total of $1,100 toward the program.

Beth Delacour, principal at South Tahoe Middle School, said the ability for kids to purchase clothes without worrying about money is a “great treat” for many of them.

“This event felt like Christmas in October,” she said in a press release. “The kids are really amazing individuals only to be out done by their parents love for them.”